Convert your sony DVD handycam video for youtube uploading

If you are the owner of a sony handycam, that records to dvd, then this guide will help you if you have any problems figuring out how to record your videos with your new video camera, and then convert them so you can upload them to your youtube account.

The exact type of model i have used this method with is the Sony handycam DCR-DVD109e however it will work with any dvd video recorder, from all the main manufacturers, including toshiba, and LG.

Ok, first you have to obviously record your video, and once you have finished the content is store on a dvd, and written on the fly, which means that the dvd is being burnt with the data as you record. You are limited to a certain amount of space with the dvd, but you can also use re-writables.

Once the Disk is full, or even if its not, and you now want to transfer it to your pc, you will have to finalize the disk. This means that its playable on a dvd player, however, it will be going into your pc drive. Once the dvd is finished recording, as it takes a few minutes, and you have to make sure not to shake the recorder while it is finalizing the disk, you can then put the disk in your pc drive, and test that it works ok.

Now you need to download a programme called bit ripper. Or just click here. This will allow you to select a section of the dvd to record to .avi format. Bit ripper is free and easy to use, plus the best thing about about it is that it uses no large amounts of hard drive space, as the conversion of a dvd to the avi is done all on the instant, so you only end up with the .avi and no large temp file. .AVI .is a good format to convert the video to so you can easily view on your android phone, or your apple ipad, or even use megaupload or a similar file sharing website to send your home made video classic to friends.

If you want to just upload it straight to youtube, then thats everything ready once the .avi is ready after finishing the conversion process in bit ripper. You just log into youtube, and then select the option to upload, and then point the direction of your folder to the location that you saved the .avi in, and youtube will upload your video. You will still need to enter the information in you tube like the title and the description of your video.

Very easy, and there are a number of other ways to complete this, however, i have found this is the easiest for me after borrowing the video recorder from a friend with no manuals or software.